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Peruvian Family Visa

Peruvian Family Visa

A Guide to Peruvian Visas

Part 6

Some family members of Peruvian nationals and foreigners with resident status in Peru have the right to family reunification and can apply for a family visa, the so-called Visa familiar residente. Depending on your relationship to the Peruvian citizen or foreign resident, several family visa sub-types exist.

And before we continue ...

Applying for a residence visa in Peru can feel confusing and overwhelming at first. Requirements, procedures, and the different authorities involved are not always easy to understand, especially for foreigners navigating the process for the first time.

The family visa application involves several steps and requires careful preparation of documents both from abroad and in Peru.

This guide explains the entire process step by step - from the legal background and document preparation to submitting your visa application, receiving your residence approval, and obtaining your Carné de extranjería. With the detailed explanations and practical instructions provided here, you should be able to prepare and submit your application on your own. We also explain important rules and practical aspects of living in Peru on a family visa.

 

Table of contents

 

Family visa types in Peru

In Peru, a family visa can be based either on a relationship with a Peruvian citizen or with a foreigner who already has resident status in Peru. In both cases the visa type is called Visa familiar residente. However, the required documents and specific sub-type may differ depending on the sponsor’s immigration status.

Important:
Currently, same-sex marriages and civil unions are not legally recognized in Peru. Therefore, even if such a marriage or civil union was legally performed abroad, it is generally not recognized by Peruvian authorities, including Migraciones, and cannot be used as a basis for a family visa application. Foreign partners in such situations usually have to apply for another visa type, for example a work visa, retirement visa, or other residence visa, depending on their personal circumstances.

Depending on your relationship to the Peruvian citizen or foreigner with resident status in Peru, several family visa sub-types exist.

  • Spouses of Peruvian nationals (para el caso de casado/a peruana/o)
  • Spouses of foreigners with resident status (para el caso de casado/a con extranjera/o residente en el país)
  • Minor children of Peruvians or foreigners with resident status (para el caso de hijos menores de edad de peruano/a o extranjero/a residente)
  • Unmarried adult children (18 to 28 years old) who are financially dependent on their parents (para el caso de hijo/a mayor de edad)
  • Adult children with disabilities (para el caso de hijos mayores de 18 años con discapacidad)
  • Parents of Peruvians or foreigners with resident status in Peru who do not have Peruvian nationality (para el caso de padres de peruano/a o extranjero/a residente) (*)

(*) Children born on Peruvian territory to Peruvian or foreign parents are automatically considered Peruvian citizens. They have the right to obtain a Peruvian birth certificate, a Peruvian DNI, and a Peruvian passport.

For many years, foreign parents could not obtain a resident family visa through their minor child born in Peru. However, this changed with the introduction of the 2017 Foreigner Law and a new interpretation of the relevant regulation a few years later.

Before the parents can apply for a resident family visa, the child’s birth must first be registered with Reniec, and the child must obtain both a Peruvian birth certificate and a Peruvian DNI.

 

Legal background for a family visa application in Peru

Where to apply for a family visa

Officially, you can apply for a family visa either from outside Peru or while already in the country, for example while staying as a tourist.

However, the practical situation has changed in recent years. For decades, Peruvian consulates abroad handled residence visa applications entirely, from providing information and issuing application forms to receiving the application and, if approved, granting the residence visa.

Since August 2021, however, Peruvian diplomatic missions abroad generally only handle tourist and business visa applications. Foreigners who wish to apply for a residence visa are now usually referred to Migraciones in Peru.

This means that foreigners who can enter Peru visa-free (in other words, those who do not need to apply for a tourist visa at a Peruvian consulate) typically travel to Peru as tourists and then apply for a change of immigration status, known as Cambio de calidad migratoria, at Migraciones. This is different from a “Solicitud de calidad migratoria,” which is the procedure used when applying for residency from outside Peru.

Foreign nationals who cannot enter Peru visa-free (meaning they must apply for a tourist visa at a Peruvian consulate before traveling) are officially required to apply for their residence visa from outside Peru. In practice, this process can be more complicated, lengthy, and sometimes frustrating.

If you fall into this category, we explain the process in detail in our separate guide on the Peruvian residence visa application from abroad.

Foreign nationals who want to apply for a residence visa in Peru, for example because they are married to a Peruvian, have found work in Peru, or p...

 

Important laws and regulations

For foreigners planning to stay in Peru long-term and apply for a resident visa, several laws and regulations form the legal basis of the immigration system.

The most important ones are Decreto Legislativo 1350, Peru’s “old” Foreigner Law, and Decreto Legislativo 1582, which introduced modifications to this law. Both mainly establish the general framework for immigration matters. More detailed regulations can be found in Decreto Supremo 002-2021-IN published in 2021, as well as in the TUPA (Texto Único de Procedimientos Administrativos) of Migraciones, which is usually updated every year.

Helpful information can also be found on the official Peruvian government website. All these documents are, of course, in Spanish.

While in the section Requirements for a family visa application in Peru below we explain the required documents in English, the official list of requirements can be found, for example, in Decreto Supremo 002-2021-IN, page 44, in article 89-B “Procedimiento administrativo de cambio de calidad migratoria por la de familiar residente”.

Since the TUPA is the most current official document and may contain small updates compared to the Decreto Supremo, we recommend checking it as well when looking for the latest official information in Spanish. In the current version, the relevant section can be found on page 149 for adult applicants and on page 77 for minor applicants.

 

Requirements and documents to apply for a family visa in Peru

Below you find the general requirements and documents needed to apply for a family visa in Peru - more precisely to complete the procedure called Cambio de calidad migratoria familiar residente (change of immigration status to family resident). As the family visa includes several sub-types, additional documents may be required depending on your relationship to the Peruvian citizen or foreign resident.

Please note that Migraciones reserves the right to request additional documents at any time during the evaluation of your application.

Required documents to apply for a family visa include:

  • Passport
  • Clean criminal record (Antecedentes policiales, penales y judiciales) from your home country or from the country where you legally lived (so with a resident visa) during the 5 years prior to coming to Peru (exception minors) (1) + (2)
  • Official document that proves the family tie
    For example:
    • Married to a Peruvian or foreigner with resident status:
      • marriage certificate (1) + (3) (4)
    • Child or parent of a Peruvian or foreigner with resident status:
      • birth certificate (1) + (3) + (5)
    • Union de hecho, so a legal Peruvian relationship with a Peruvian or foreigner with resident status:
      • Sworn statement indicating the SUNARP registration (1)
  • ID of the family member
    • DNI of the Peruvian family member with correct family address, correct marital status and no pending election fees, or
    • Carné de extranjería of the foreigner with resident status
  • Interpol clearance - Ficha de canje internacional not older than 6 months (see below)
  • Receipt for the paid application fee
    • Authority: Migraciones
    • Code: 07568 - Cambio de calidad migratoria
    • Concept: Cambio de calidad migratoria a familiar residente
    • Fee: S/ 161.40 (2026)
  • Additional required documents depending on the situation
    • Unmarried adult children (up to 28 years):
      • Official certificate of being single, (1) + (3) or
      • Sworn statement in which the applicant declares before a Peruvian notary that they are unmarried, (1) and
      • Enrollment certificate of a Peruvian educational institution (1)
    • Adult children with disabilities
      • Official certificate of being single (1) (3), or
      • Sworn statement in which the applicant declares before a Peruvian notary that they are unmarried, (1) and
      • Document proving a condition of permanent disability and the need for parent’s care (1) (3)

Explanatory notes

(1) Validity period (“expiration date”) of documents in Peru

Something many foreigners don’t expect: in Peru, official documents are often only accepted for a limited time after issuance. Unless stated otherwise:

  • Documents issued in Peru are usually accepted only if issued within the last 3 months.
  • Documents issued abroad are usually accepted only if issued within the last 6 months.

(2) Criminal record check

As we receive many questions about the criminal record certificates required for visa applications in Peru (“Antecedentes policiales, penales y judiciales”), we dedicated a separate article to this topic where we explain in detail which document you need, where to obtain it, and what to watch out for when applying for it.

One of the requirements when applying for a resident visa in Peru or when changing your immigration status (for example, from a work visa to a perm...

(3) Foreign document rules in Peru

Any foreign document presented in Peru must meet specific formal requirements.

  • Apostille or legalization
    Foreign documents must either:
    • carry an Apostille (if the issuing country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention), or
    • be legalized (if the country is not part of the Convention) through a Peruvian consulate abroad and then the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  • Translation into Spanish
    If a foreign document is not entirely in Spanish, it must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator in Peru (see below).

(4) Marriage certificate

Marriage in Peru at a municipality integrated into the Reniec system:

  • Certified copy of your marriage certificate issued by Reniec (not older than 90 days)

Marriage in Peru at a municipality not integrated into the Reniec system:

Some municipalities are not yet integrated into Reniec and only issue local records. If you got married in such a municipality, the local marriage certificate must first be authenticated by Reniec before Migraciones accepts it.

In this case:

  • Step 1: Obtain a certified copy of your marriage certificate from the (provincial) municipality. Inform them that you need the copy for Migraciones-related purposes, so the right stamp is put on the certificate.
  • Step 2: Pay the fee on pagalo.pe or at any Banco de la Nacion branch
    • Authority: Reniec
    • Code 02143 - Certificaciones
    • Concepto: Certificacion de firma;
    • Fee: S/ 31.
  • Step 3: Apply at a Reniec office for the so-called "Solicitud de authenticacion de firmas". Bring the certified copy of your marriage certificate, the payment receipt, ID, and copies. In Lima this can only be done at the Reniec office in Miraflores (Av. Diez Conseco 230) or the Reniec office in Jesus Maria (Jr. Talara 130).
  • Step 4: At Reniec you are handed a form to fill out. Then, just wait your turn in the “Certificaciones” line, hand in your documents and usually within a week or two you can pick up your marriage certificate with another stamp on it. 

Only after this authentication will Migraciones accept the marriage certificate. When you submit your visa application, the document must not be older than 90 days.

Marriage abroad to a Peruvian citizen (registered at consulate)

  • Certified copy of your marriage certificate issued by the Peruvian consulate and legalized by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RREE) in Lima or their provincial offices (not older than 180 days)

Already in Peru without a recent copy? At the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (RREE) in Lima, you can get certified copies of birth, marriage, and death certificates registered at a Peruvian consulate abroad.

Marriage abroad to a Peruvian citizen (not registered at consulate)

If you were married abroad to a Peruvian citizen and the marriage was not registered at a Peruvian consulate, the Peruvian spouse must first register the marriage with Reniec.

For this, the foreign marriage certificate with Apostille or - if the country where the document was issued is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention - legalized by a Peruvian consulate is required (not older than 6 months).

Once in Peru, the foreign marriage certificate must be translated into Spanish and, in some cases, legalized by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RREE).

After the marriage has been registered with Reniec, obtain a certified copy of the marriage certificate issued by Reniec.

Marriage abroad to a foreigner

  • Marriage certificate with Apostille or - if the country in which the document was issued didn't sign the Hague Apostille Convention - legalized by a Peruvian consulate (not older than 6 months).

Once in Peru, the marriage certificate must be translated into Spanish and, in some cases, legalized by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RREE).

(5) Birth certificate

Child of a foreigner with resident status in Peru

  • Birth certificate of the child showing that it is the son or daughter of the foreigner with resident status. The document must have an Apostille or - if the country in which the document was issued didn't sign the Hague Apostille Convention - legalized by a Peruvian consulate (not older than 6 months).

Once in Peru, the birth certificate must be translated into Spanish and, in some cases, legalized by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RREE).

Parent of a Peruvian citizen - birth registered at a municipality integrated into the Reniec system

  • Certified copy of the birth certificate issued by Reniec showing you as the parent (not older than 90 days).

Parent of a Peruvian citizen – birth registered at a municipality not integrated into the Reniec system

Some municipalities in Peru are not yet integrated into the Reniec system, meaning that births are registered only at the municipal level. If the Peruvian family member was born in such a municipality, the birth certificate must first be authenticated by Reniec before Migraciones accepts it.

In this case:

  • Step 1: Obtain a certified copy of the birth certificate from the (provincial) municipality. Inform them that you need the copy for Migraciones-related purposes, so the right stamp is put on the certificate.
  • Step 2: Pay the fee on pagalo.pe or at any Banco de la Nacion branch
    • Authority: Reniec
    • Code 02143 - Certificaciones
    • Concepto: Certificacion de firma;
    • Fee: S/ 31.
  • Step 3: Apply at a Reniec office for the so-called "Solicitud de authenticacion de firmas". Bring the certified copy of your marriage certificate, the payment receipt, ID, and copies. In Lima this can only be done at the Reniec office in Miraflores (Av. Diez Conseco 230) or the Reniec office in Jesus Maria (Jr. Talara 130).
  • Step 4: At Reniec you are handed a form to fill out. Then, just wait your turn in the “Certificaciones” line, hand in your documents and usually within a week or two you can pick up the birth certificate with an additional Reniec authentication stamp.
  • Only after this authentication will Migraciones accept the birth certificate. When you submit your visa application, the document must not be older than 90 days.

Parent of a foreigner with resident status in Peru

  • Birth certificate of the foreigner with resident status in Peru showing you as the parent. The document must have an Apostille or - if the country in which the document was issued didn't sign the Hague Apostille Convention - legalized by a Peruvian consulate (not older than 6 months).

Once in Peru, the birth certificate must be translated into Spanish and, in some cases, legalized by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RREE).

 

Step-by-step guide to apply for a family visa in Peru

Applying for a family visa in Peru is generally a straightforward process. However, if you are unfamiliar with the procedures and the different steps involved, the whole process can feel confusing and overwhelming at first.

The following step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process and is intended to help you prepare and complete the application on your own. Please keep in mind that it serves as general guidance only, as procedures and requirements may change at any time. Also note that at least basic Spanish skills are necessary to fill out forms and understand instructions during the application process.

 

Before submitting your visa application

Before you can submit your family visa application through the Migraciones Agencia Digital, there are a few important preparations to complete. Some required documents must be obtained in your home country, others have to be issued or processed in Peru.

In addition, foreign documents need to be apostilled or legalized (often only possible in the country where they were issued) and translated into Spanish in Peru, and you must complete the Interpol clearance procedure (Ficha de Canje). You will also have to pay the visa application fee and prepare digital copies of all required documents for upload.

The following sections explain these preparatory steps so you can complete everything in advance and submit your visa application without unnecessary delays.

 

Translation of foreign documents

Once in Peru, all documents issued abroad that are written in a foreign language must be translated into Spanish.

Officially, since the introduction of Decreto Legislativo 1272, which simplified administrative procedures in Peru, a simple translation should be sufficient. In theory, this means you can use any registered translator in Peru.

However, in practice it is still recommended to use a certified translator in Peru, preferably a traductor público juramentado (sworn public translator), as their translations are generally accepted by Peruvian authorities without any issues.

Lists of these government-approved translators - unfortunately most of them are located in Lima only - can be found on the Peruvian government website. Under point 3, simply select the language of your original document and the corresponding list of certified translators will appear.

Another option is checking with the Colegio de Traductores del Perú or simply doing a Google search for registered translators in Peru.

For less common languages, the Peruvian government also lists traductores especiales, translators authorized to translate so-called “special languages” into Spanish. In the text just click Directorio de traductores especiales and select the language of your original document.

If your documents carry an Apostille and are translated by a certified translators, Migraciones should accept them without problems under the rules of the simplified administrative procedures. Nevertheless, many translators still recommend an additional legalization of the translation by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RREE). The reason is that Migraciones does not always apply the simplified procedures consistently. In some cases, documents without the additional legalization have been rejected, and applicants were asked to upload the apostilled and translated documents again - this time with an additional legalization by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RREE) in Lima or at one of its regional offices.

If you decide to skip this additional RREE legalization step, we strongly recommend keeping a close eye on your Migraciones electronic mailbox for any notifications requesting additional authentication (see below).

If your documents are not apostilled but legalized, they must always be authenticated again after translation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RREE) in Lima or at one of its regional offices.

 

Interpol

Before you can even begin the family visa application process, you must also obtain the Ficha de Canje Internacional issued by Interpol in Peru. This clearance confirms that you are not internationally wanted and is a mandatory requirement for nearly all temporary and residence visa applications in Peru. 

As the procedure involves several steps and a visit to an Interpol office in Peru, we explain the process in detail in our separate guide: “Interpol – Ficha de Canje Internacional.”

Before applying for any temporary or residence visa in Peru, all foreigners must first obtain the Ficha de Canje Internacional issued by Interpol. ...

Paying the application fee

As with all administrative procedures in Peru, before you can submit your application, you must first pay the corresponding fee.

Payment can be made either:

  • in person at any Banco de la Nación branch, or
  • online via pagalo.pe (from a computer or via the pagalo.pe app on a smartphone or tablet)

Detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to register on pagalo.pe, how to make the payment, and what to watch out for can be found in our article “Paying administration charges and processing fees in Peru.”

All administrative charges, processing fees, and fines issued by Peruvian government agencies and public authorities must be paid through the Banco...

For the family resident visa application, you need:

  • Authority: Migraciones
  • Code: 07568 - Cambio de calidad migratoria
  • Concepto: Cambio de calidad migratoria por la de familiar residente mayor de edad (adults) or menor de edad (minors)
  • Fee: S/ 161.40 (2026)

Once the payment is completed, keep the receipt safe. You will need it when submitting your application.

 

Last preparations

Prepare digital copies of your documents. Create clear PDF files of your passport (the page with your personal data) as well as of all other required documents. Migraciones currently allows a maximum file size of 3 MB per document, so make sure your scans are readable but not too large.

Once everything is prepared, you are ready to start your family visa application.

One more important point:
If you need to leave Peru while your visa application is being processed, you must first apply for a special travel permit, the Permiso Especial de Viaje (also called Autorización de estadía fuera del país). Leaving the country without this authorization automatically cancels your pending visa application.

Foreign nationals in Peru who have applied for a visa - more precisely, for a change of immigration status (cambio de calidad migratoria) - or a ch...

  

Submitting your visa application on the Agencia Digital

Now it’s finally time to submit your family visa application.

Before getting started, however, there are a few important things you should know about the Migraciones Agencia Digital, the online platform where the application must be submitted.

  • First of all, the platform generally only works when accessed from within Peru.
  • The Agencia Digital is available in Spanish only. While it may be tempting to use automatic translation tools in your browser, we recommend not using them, as they can sometimes cause display or system errors.
  • To reduce technical problems when using the platform, it is also advisable to:
    • disable ad blockers
    • avoid incognito or private browsing modes
    • use a standard browser window

And even though we do our best to keep this guide as up to date as possible, the Agencia Digital is frequently updated and small changes to the process may occur. Therefore, please treat the following walk-through primarily as general guidance.

If you notice that something works differently than described here, you are very welcome to share your experience in the comments section below (visible after approval) or use the email button at the bottom of the page to send us a private message. Your feedback helps us keep this guide accurate and useful for others.

Step 1: Access the Migraciones Agencia Digital

Go to the Migraciones Agencia Digital and click on Entrar.

On the next page, select Extranjero and fill in the following fields:

  • Documento
    Select the document you used to enter Peru or that is registered with Migraciones (usually pasaporte).
  • Número de documento
    Enter your passport number.
  • Fecha de nacimiento
    Enter your date of birth.
  • Nacionalidad
    Select your nationality. Country names are listed in Spanish (for example, EE. UU. for the United States, Alemania for Germany).
  • Último movimiento migratorio de entrada
    Enter the date you last entered Peru.
  • Código captcha
    Complete the captcha.

Click Verificar.

Important:
No matter which forms you fill out in Peru, always enter your personal data exactly as it appears in your passport. Even small differences can cause problems.

 

Step 2: Select the visa application procedure

You are now on the main page of the Agencia Digital.

  • Either use the search bar, or
  • In the left-hand menu, go to Cambio de calidad migratoria and select familiar residente
    • Casado con peruano o extranjero residente if you are married to a Peruvian or foreign resident 
    • Padres de peruano o extranjero residente if you are the parent of Peruvian or foreign resident
    • Hijo menor de edad for underage children.
    • Hijos adultos con dispacidad for adult children with disabilities

Click on the one that applies to continue.

 

Step 3: Choose the Migraciones office and generate your update code

You are now on the Cambio de calidad migratoria - Dependencia page.

Fill in the required fields:

  • Seleccione la dependencia donde desee gestionar su trámite
    Select the Migraciones office that should handle your application (for example, Lima, a MAC center, Cusco, Arequipa).
  • Ingrese código de actualización
    If you do not already have a current data update code, click the link “Obtenga aquí su código de actualización de datos” below the field.

A new tab opens, taking you to the Sistema de Actualización de Datos page.

Click the Sistema de actualización de datos button and fill in the requested fields:

  • Tipo de documento
    Select pasaporte.
  • Número de documento
    Enter your passport number.
  • Nacionalidad
    Select your nationality (listed in Spanish).
  • Sexo
    Select your gender.
  • Fecha de nacimiento
    Enter your date of birth (dd/mm/yyyy).
  • Captcha
    Complete the captcha.

Accept the sworn statement and click Continuar.

You will then be taken to a rather extensive questionnaire. Be aware that you only have a limited amount of time (usually 20 to 30 minutes) to complete all required fields. Once you start, you must finish within this time. If the time expires, all your progress is lost and you have to start again from the beginning.

The questions may appear somewhat unorganized or unusual. From time to time Migraciones changes the questionnaire, moving questions around, adding new ones, or removing others. Therefore, the description below should be seen as general guidance to give you an idea of what kind of information you may be asked to provide.

First, you will be asked to enter personal information, including:

  • marital status
  • country of residence
  • country of birth
  • whether you have any criminal, police, or judicial record
  • your address in Peru (including department, province, district, road type, zone type, street name, and house number)
  • your email address
  • mobile phone number and landline number
  • hair color and eye color
  • height (in meters) and weight (in kilograms)

Next, you must provide the details of an emergency contact, including their passport number, name, mobile phone number, and email address.

The following section asks about personal aspects, such as whether you have a disability or illness and whether you require medical treatment.

After that, you will be asked questions about your immediate family situation. You must indicate whether you are single or have a partner. If you have a partner, you must enter their personal details, including:

  • passport information (country issuing the passport, type of passport, passport number)
  • name(s) and surname(s)
  • gender
  • date of birth
  • whether your partner is currently in Peru with you

Once you have completed this section, click Guardar.

The next topic concerns your education and profession, including your highest school and academic degree, your profession and occupation, and whether you currently study or work in Peru.

You will then be asked about your living conditions, including the type of housing, since when you have lived there, how many people live in the household, and how many rooms the home has.

The last block of questions relates to financial information, for example whether you have taken out a loan in Peru or if you maintain a bank account in the country.

Once you have completed all questions, click Continuar.

That should be it. A pop-up window should then appear displaying your codigo de actualización. Copy this code.

Return to the original tab with your Cambio de calidad migratoria application, paste the code into the field, and click Siguiente.

 

Step 4: Upload required documents

In this step you must upload all required documents and, where requested, enter additional information. The Agencia Digital organizes the requirements into several tabs. Some tabs only require you to upload the corresponding document(s), while others also ask for additional information.

When uploading your documents, make sure that the file size does not exceed the maximum allowed size (usually 3 MB per document) and that the dcocuments are clear and easy to read.

Important for those wanting to verify the exact requirements:
If you only want to check or verify the current requirements, you can simply click through the different tabs. Once finished, leave the page without submitting anything.

To proceed with your application, click the small arrow next to each requirement. Depending on the document, additional fields may appear. Fill in the requested information and upload the corresponding PDF file.

Note
The fields described below correspond to a family visa application for adults, for example if you are married to a Peruvian. If you are applying for a minor, additional fields may need to be completed and different or additional documents, such as your passport or carné may have to be uploaded.

Pago por derecho de trámite (application fee)

Under Pago por derecho de trámite, you must enter the information from your payment receipt:

  • Número de recibo
    This corresponds to the secuencia de pago on the págalo receipt.
  • Código de verificación
    This is the código de control on the págalo receipt.
  • Fecha de recibo
    This is the fecha de operación on the págalo receipt.

After entering the information, click Validar.

Ficha de Canje Interpol (Interpol clearance)

Under Ficha de canje Interpol, you must upload:

  • the Ficha de Canje Internacional issued by Interpol in Peru, and
  • the criminal record certificate with Apostille and Spanish translation.

Please note that both fields are mandatory, and you cannot continue unless both documents are uploaded.

Documento de vinculo

Under Documento de vinculo you must upload the document proving your family tie (for example, your marriage certificate or birth certificate).

Documento de identificacion del conyuge

Under Documento de identificacion del conyuge, you must enter the DNI number of the Peruvian part of the family or the Carné number of the foreign resident you are related to.

Click on Validar.

Documento de Identificación del administrado

Under Documento de Identificación, select the document with which you entered Peru (in most cases pasaporte). You are then asked to fill in your passport number, the date of issue and the country of issue and upload a copy of the passport page with your photo and personal data.

Exceso de permanencia (overstay)

There is one final tab called Exceso de permanencia.

If you apply while your stay in Peru is still valid, this tab should already display a green check mark, and you can simply leave it as it is.

If, however, you apply after your stay as a tourist has expired, you should be able to open this tab and upload:

  • a payment receipt for the overstay fine, and
  • a sworn statement explaining the reasons for your overstay.

Once these two documents are uploaded, the check mark in front of the tab should turn green.

However, please be aware that officially you must be in Peru on a valid stay to apply for a Cambio de calidad migratoria. If your stay has already expired, your application will in most cases be denied, even if the system allows you to upload the documents and continue with your application.

So before relying on this option, please read our chapter Can I apply for a family visa when my stay as a tourist is expired?.

Final step

Once all required documents are uploaded, each tab should show a green check mark. Finally, accept the terms and conditions and click Siguiente to continue.

 

Step 5: Review and confirm your personal information

You are now shown a summary page with your personal details already filled in.

The only fields you can edit here are:

  • your mobile phone number, and
  • your email address (make sure an e-mail address is registered that you have unrestricted access to)

If everything is correct, click Guardar datos y generar trámite.

Please note
For whatever reasons, sometimes this page isn't displayed.

 

Step 6: Application confirmation

You are now taken to the Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria page. At first glance, you will only see a number displayed on the screen and a request to make an appointment to have your biometric data taken.

Do not continue yet.

First, save this number! It's your Numero de expediente (file number), which is sometimes also called Numero de tramite. The number usually consists of 2 letters (often an abbreviation of the Migraciones office where you applied; LM for Lima, for example; or CY for Chiclayo, etc.) and 9 digits.

Next, click on Descargar or Imprimir to download and/or print the complete Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria document before proceeding to the appointment page.

This document is the official confirmation that your application was successfully submitted, so make sure to keep it safe.

At the top right of the downloaded document, under the bar code, you will again find your Numero de expediente (file number). At the bottom of the first page, under the signature / fingerprint field, you usually find the Fecha de publicacion (application date) and the Codigo de verificación (verification code).

Additionally, at the bottom of the first page - or sometimes on a second page - you should also find your login data for your Migraciones electronic mailbox, the Buzon electronico (see below).

If you cannot find the verification code and/or the login data for the electronic mailbox on the Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria document, or if you missed downloading it, check below how to recover the login data and the verification code.

 

After submitting your visa application

After submitting your application, there are still a few steps to complete before receiving your residency and Carné de Extranjería. The following sections explain what happens next and what you should watch out for during the processing of your application.

Biometric data appointment

After your visa application, you will be asked to schedule an appointment to have your biometric data taken (photo, fingerprints, and signature). To make the appointment, you must enter a code. This code is your Número de expediente (also called Número de trámite).

Make an appointment

For a long time, getting a biometric appointment in Lima was quite a challenge, as foreign nationals could only register their biometric data at the Migraciones main office in Breña. To improve the situation, Migraciones allowed foreigners to complete this step as well at several MAC centers. As a result, it became much easier to secure an appointment within a reasonable time.

However, at the end of March 2026, Migraciones announced that starting April 1, 2026 (and no, not an April Fool’s joke), biometric data for applicants in Lima will once again only be collected at the main office in Breña. As a result, it can be expected that securing an appointment may become more difficult and require some patience again.

In contrast, at Migraciones offices in the provinces, appointments are usually readily available.

Our recommendation: Use the appointment link provided at the end of your application and try to schedule your appointment immediately.

If you are unable to secure a slot right away or prefer to book it later, you can return to the Agencia Digital and schedule it under Citas en Línea, subcategory Para registro de datos biométricos.

To schedule the appointment, simply enter your Número de expediente, choose a Migraciones office and select an available date. If everything works smoothly, your appointment is scheduled.

Download or print your appointment confirmation under the Constancia cita tab before clicking Finalizar.

As an additional tip: even though it is easy to overlook, next to the Constancia cita tab you will find another tab called Cargo trámite. This tab can be very useful if you missed to download the confirmation of your application or if the login details for the Buzón electrónico or the verification code are missing from your document. Simply click on the Cargo trámite tab to download the Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria document again. The downloaded version should now include both the verification code and the login details for your Buzón electrónico.

What to expect during your appointment

On the day of your appointment, arrive 15-30 minutes early at the Migraciones office you selected when making the appointment.

You will only need your

  • Passport, and
  • printed (!) appointment confirmation

The procedure can vary slightly depending on the office. At the Migraciones office in Lima, for example, you usually receive a number and wait until you are called. 

When it's your turn proceed to the counter, where staff will:

  • record your signature
  • take fingerprints
  • take your biometric photo

Avoid wearing white, pastel or very light-colored clothing, as Migraciones may reject photos where clothing blends into the background. Dark or strong colors are recommended.

Processing times at the Migraciones offices vary. Some applicants have a smooth and quick experience finishing within 30 minutes, while others report waiting one to three hours. So, plan accordingly..

At the Migraciones offices outside Lima, the whole process is usually quick and painless.

After your biometric data appointment, all you can do is regularly check your Buzon electronico and wait for a notification from Migraciones. You may receive a message informing you that a document you uploaded is not accepted, that additional documents are required, or that your visa has been approved.

 

Buzon Electronico

The Buzón electrónico is your personal Migraciones electronic mailbox, which you should check regularly for notifications from Migraciones. These notifications may include, for example, requests to upload missing or additional documents, or messages informing you about the approval or denial of your visa application.

You can access your Buzón

  • by clicking the Buzón button at the top of the main page of the Agencia Digital, or
  • by using this direct link.

Your username (usuario) and password (contraseña) can be found on the Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria, the confirmation document of your successfully submitted application (see Step 6 above). If the login information is not on the document or if you missed to download it, see the section below explaining how to recover the login data.

Please note that notifications sent through the Buzón electrónico are considered officially delivered. If you do not respond within the deadline stated in the message - which is often only five days - your application may be dismissed.

Therefore, if you receive a notification from Migraciones informing you that a document is missing, unreadable, incomplete, or not submitted in the required form (for example missing an Apostille or translation), you should react immediately.

If you already have the requested document, create a PDF file (maximum size 3 MB) and upload it through the Agencia Digital. This process, known as Subsanación, is explained in detail in our article Subsanacion - Submitting documents.

During the internal review of any application submitted via the Migraciones Agencia Digital, Migraciones may determine that a required document is ...

If you don't yet have the requested document and cannot submit it within the deadline, you must still respond to the notification. In this case, you can request an extension of the deadline to submit the document later. This procedure is called Solicitud de ampliación de plazos and is explained in our article Extension of a Migraciones deadline.

If Migraciones asks you to submit an additional document during the internal evaluation of an immigration-related application, you are usually give...

 

Approval of your visa

After submitting your application and completing the biometric data appointment, all you can do is wait for Migraciones to process your application.

The official processing time for resident visa applications is 30 business days. In practice, however, most applicants receive the approval notification in their Buzón electrónico within two to three months.

Nevertheless, it is important to check your Buzón electrónico regularly to make sure you do not miss any notifications, including the approval of your visa - if you are among the lucky ones within three or four weeks.

You can also check the status of your application:

If you haven’t received any notification after about four months, you may want to follow up with Migraciones. You can do this

  • by calling the MAC hotline 1800, or
  • by visiting the Migraciones office or MAC center you selected during your application (you may need an appointment), or
  • by sending an email to infomac [@] pcm.gob.pe

asking about the status of your application.

Another option is to submit a so-called Solicitud de celeridad de trámite, which is a request for expedited processing.

Usually, however, after two to three months you will find a notification in your Buzón electrónico (the subject line is often something like Notificación trámite cambio de calidad) informing you that your visa has been approved.

Congratulations!

However, the process is not finished yet, as you still need to obtain your Carné de extranjería, your official Peruvian ID.

The first notification normally instructs you to wait for further instructions on how to pick up your carné. So once again, keep checking your Buzón electrónico and wait for a second notification from Migraciones (usually titled Notificación expedición del carné) informing you that your carné has been issued.

Officially, issuing the carné can take up to 30 business days, but according to reports from applicants the waiting time can range from a few days to about two months.

 

Getting your carné (foreigner ID)

Once notified that your carné is ready, log in to the Agencia Digital and book a pickup appointment under:

  • Citas en Línea, subpoint recojo de documentos.

Download and print the appointment confirmation.

Note
Some Migraciones offices outside Lima may not require appointments for pickup.

If you urgently need your carné

Especially in Lima, getting an appointment to pick up your carné can sometimes turn into a real test of patience. Slots are often fully booked, and availability can appear and disappear quickly. Unfortunately, there is no shortcut here - your only option is to keep checking the system again and again: later the same day, the next day, or a few days later. Persistence usually pays off.

If, for whatever reason, you urgently need proof of your carné but can’t secure an appointment to collect the physical card, there is a practical workaround. You can download a document from the Agencia Digital confirming that you have a valid residency and carné, even if you don’t yet have the card in hand.

To do this, log in to the Agencia Digital and, on the main page, go to the left-hand menu. Under “Constancias” select Carné de Extranjería. A page will open showing the data printed on your carné. At the bottom of the page, confirm the statement “Estos son los datos con los cuales se emitirá su constancia…” by ticking the small box and then click Siguiente.

You will then see the "Constancia de Emisión de Carné de Extranjería” on your screen. Download it and, if necessary, print it. While it doesn’t replace the physical card, it serves as official proof that you have a valid residency and carné.

To collect your carné, be on time and bring:

  • passport
  • printed appointment confirmation (if applicable)

Staff will direct you to the collection counter where your new card is handed over.

Congrats! You made it!

To familiarize yourself with your Carné de extranjería, we highly recommend reading our glossary article Carné de Extranjería - Peru’s ID Card for foreigners.

 

Family visa Peru - FAQs for residents

If you live in Peru on a family visa, there are a few important rules and obligations you should be aware of. The following questions and answers explain the most important aspects of maintaining your residency, traveling abroad, working, and dealing with Migraciones.

How long is the family visa valid?

The family visa - the permit that allows you to legally live in Peru - is usually valid for one year, in case you are married to a Peruvian two years. After this period, it must be extended to maintain your legal resident status.

Our article “Residence visa extension” explains the extension process in detail.

In Peru, a residence visa - so, the permit that allows you to legally live in the country - is usually valid for only one (1) year and must then be...

 

How long is the carné de extranjería valid?

The Carné de Extranjería, the physical Peruvian ID card issued to foreign residents, is usually valid for four years (minors three years). After that, it must be renewed.

For more information, see our article “Renewal of the Carné.”

When your Peruvian residence visa is approved, you receive a Carné de Extranjería, Peru’s foreigner ID card. While many residents assume the card a...

 

How long can I stay outside Peru without losing my residency?

Foreigners living in Peru on a family visa cannot stay outside the country for more than 183 days within a 365-day period, otherwise their resident status may be canceled.

If you need to stay abroad for longer, you must apply for the Autorización de estadía fuera del país por 183 días before leaving Peru. With this authorization, you will not lose your residency status.

 

Can I work in Peru on a family visa?

Yes! If you are living in Peru on a family visa, you are allowed to work both as an employee and independently.

Unlike some other residence visas, the family visa does not restrict professional activities, so you may take up employment with a Peruvian company, work as an independent contractor, or run your own business. However, as with any professional activity in Peru, you must comply with the applicable tax and labor regulations.

 

What should I do if my personal information changes?

If any information provided during your visa application changes, Migraciones must be informed within 30 days.

This includes, for example:

  • receiving a new passport
  • changing your address
  • other relevant personal information

To report such changes, you must apply for an Actualización de datos (update of registered information). In some cases, a new Carné de extranjería may be issued after the update is approved.

Our article “Update your information in the Migraciones database” explains the process in detail.

If any personal information printed on your carné or registered in the Migraciones database changes, you must request an Actualización de datos (up...

  

What documents do I need when leaving Peru temporarily?

When leaving Peru temporarily, you must present your passport and valid Carné.

In addition, foreigners living in Peru on a family visa may be required to present a tax declaration form before being allowed to leave the country. Although this requirement is rarely enforced, in practice, it is still part of the official regulations.

The document you need depends on whether you generated income in Peru or not.

If you did not generate any income in Peru

You must present the Formulario 1495 - “Declaración jurada de haber realizado actividades que no impliquen la generación de rentas de fuente peruana.”

To do this:

  • Download Formulario 1495,
  • Fill in and sign the form
  • Present it to the immigration officer when leaving Peru (only if requested)

If you worked as an employee in Peru

You must present a Certificado de Rentas y Retenciones before leaving the country. This document is issued by your employer and confirms that the corresponding income tax has been withheld according to Peruvian tax law.

Today, the physical form Formulario 1492 is rarely used. Instead, the employer must:

  • log into Sunat Virtual
  • complete Formulario Virtual 1692
  • print and sign the document and provide it to the employee

The certificate is valid for 30 days after being filed with SUNAT, meaning you must leave Peru within those 30 days.

If you work independently in Peru

If you generate income from Peruvian sources as an independent worker and pay your income tax directly to SUNAT, you must complete Formulario 1494 - Declaración jurada de haber pagado directamente el impuesto (or the equivalent Sunat Virtual form).

Fill in and sign the form, attach the payment receipt proving that you paid your income tax, and present both documents to the immigration officer before leaving Peru.

 

What happens to my family visa if I divorce or separate?

If your family visa in Peru is based on a marriage and the relationship legally ends, the consequences depend on your current immigration status and the basis of your residency.

If you still hold a regular family resident visa based on marriage, the visa is normally tied to the marital relationship that served as the basis for your application. As long as the marriage legally exists (which it does even if you are separated), the basis for the visa remains. However, if the marriage legally ends through divorce, the basis for the visa generally no longer exists. In most cases, Migraciones will therefore not extend the family visa once it expires. Before your residence expires, you usually must either change to another visa type or leave Peru.

If you have already obtained permanent residence (residente permanente), the situation is different. Permanent residence is generally independent of the original reason for your residency. Therefore, a divorce usually does not affect your permanent resident status, and you can normally continue living in Peru as long as you comply with the general residency rules.

If you have children with your Peruvian spouse, another option may exist. In this case, it may be possible to change your family visa from one based on marriage to one based on being the parent of a Peruvian child, provided the child has Peruvian nationality and the birth is properly registered in Peru. However, if your residency is already based on being the parent of a Peruvian child, a separation or divorce from the other parent normally does not affect your family visa, as the qualifying relationship with the child still exists.

As immigration situations can differ depending on personal circumstances, it is recommended to check with Migraciones or an immigration professional if your marital status changes while you are living in Peru on a family visa.

 

Can I change from a family visa to another visa type in Peru?

Yes. Foreigners living in Peru on a family visa can apply for a Cambio de calidad migratoria to another residence visa category if they meet the requirements.

In general, it is possible to change, for example, to:

  • permanent residency after meeting the required residency period.
  • another family visa type (for example, from a family visa based on being married to a Peruvian to a family visa based on being the parent of a Peruvian)
  • a retirement visa (rentista residente)

Before applying, make sure that you meet the specific requirements of the new visa type, as the documentation and conditions may differ.

You can apply for this change of immigration status while you are still in Peru, without having to leave the country. The process is done through the Migraciones Agencia Digital and requires submitting all documents corresponding to the new visa category.

However, timing is important. You should apply while you are still legal in Peru, so before your family visa expires.

 

When can I apply for permanent residency in Peru?

After three years of legal residency in Peru on a family visa, you can apply for permanent residency.

This process is called Cambio de calidad migratoria a permanente residente (familiar residente). Once approved, you receive indefinite residency and no longer need to extend your visa each year.

 

When can I apply for Peruvian citizenship?

Family visa holders can currently apply for Peruvian citizenship by nationalization after two years of legal residency in Peru.

However, a new nationality law approved in August 2025 increases the required residency period to four years. The law is not yet in force, but it may become applicable in the near future.

 

What should I do if I leave Peru permanently?

If you plan to leave Peru permanently, you must cancel your residence visa with Migraciones.

After the cancellation is approved, you will receive an Orden de salida, which gives you 15 days to leave the country.

 

Special situations and practical tips

While the application process usually runs smoothly if you follow the steps above, some applicants encounter special situations or technical issues during the process. The following sections explain common edge cases and practical solutions that may help if something doesn’t go as expected.

How to find or recover your verification code and Buzón electrónico login data

1. On the Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria document

The verification code and the login details for your Buzón electrónico are usually printed on the Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria document. This is the confirmation document of your successfully submitted application, which you should have downloaded after submitting your application and before making the appointment for your biometric data registration (see Step 6 above)

2. On the Biometric data appointment page

If you missed to download this document or if the verification code or the login details are not printed on it - which for unknown reasons sometimes happens - you can usually recover both when making your biometric data appointment.

After selecting a date and time for your appointment, you will be taken to a page that shows two tabs at the top:

  • Constancia cita
    Click here to download or print the confirmation of your biometric data appointment.
  • Cargo trámite
    Click this tab to download the confirmation of your visa application, which should include your verification code and the login data for your Buzón electrónico.

If you already scheduled your biometric appointment and cannot return to the Cargo trámite tab, there is another workaround. You can create a new “dummy” biometric data appointment to access the document again.

To do this:

  • Go to the Agencia Digital.
  • In the left menu click Citas en línea and select Datos biométricos.
  • Create a new appointment by selecting a date and time

You will be taken to a page that shows the Constancia cita and the Cargo tramite tab at the top.

  • Click Cargo trámite
  • Download the original Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria document containing your verification code and Buzón electrónico login data.
  • Leave the page without confirming the appointment; so do not click Finalizar, just leave the page.

3. Other options

If none of these options work and you need the verification code, you will have to contact Migraciones.

However, if you only need the login details for your Buzón electrónico, there is one last easy way to recover them.

Go to the Agencia Digital and click the Buzón electrónico button at the top of the page (or use the direct link). Then click “¿Olvidaste la contraseña?” to access the Verificación de datos page.

Enter the following information:

  • your nationality
  • passport 
  • passport number
  • last name(s)
  • first name(s)
  • date of birth

After submitting the form by clicking Siguiente, you will receive an email containing your username (usuario) and a link allowing you to create or reset your password.

 

Can I apply for a family visa if my stay as a tourist is expired?

Officially, no. To apply for a Cambio de calidad migratoria (change of immigration status) in Peru, you must be in the country on a valid stay, for example as a tourist.

However, during the application process on the Migraciones Agencia Digital, there is a tab labeled Exceso de permanencia (overstay). This tab suggests that foreigners who have overstayed their authorized stay may still be able to apply for a Cambio de calidad migratoria by uploading:

  • the payment receipt for the overstay fine, and
  • a sworn statement explaining the reason for the overstay.

In 2022, Migraciones informed us that this tab does not apply to the Cambio de calidad migratoria process from tourist to a residence visa and that applicants must be in Peru on a valid stay when applying for a residence visa.

However, in 2023, there were reports of cases where Migraciones staff explicitly suggested this option to foreigners who had already overstayed their tourist stay but still wanted to apply for a residence visa. In some of these cases, the applicants uploaded the required documents - including the payment receipt for the overstay and an explanation - and their visa applications were later approved.

Over the past few years, we have contacted Migraciones several times regarding this issue and received contradictory answers, ranging from “No, you must be in the country on a valid stay” to “Yes, it may be possible.”

That being said, according to the official rules, you must be in Peru on a valid stay when applying for a Cambio de calidad migratoria from tourist to a residence visa. Even if the system allows you to upload all required documents and submit the application, in most cases the application will likely be denied. Therefore, you should not rely on this option.

We always recommend avoiding overstaying your authorized stay in Peru. If you plan to apply for a residence visa but are still missing some of the required documents, it is usually better to submit your application before your tourist stay expires using a small workaround. We explain this option in the next section below.

If, for any reason, you cannot submit your application while your tourist stay is still valid, it may be worth personally checking with Migraciones to see if there is any possibility of applying later despite the overstay before leaving the country and attempting to return to Peru to renew your tourist stay.

If you have recent information about this topic or would like to share your experience, please let us know using the comment section at the end of this article or through our contact form.

 

Can I apply for a family visa if I don't have all the required documents?

Officially, no. On the Agencia Digital, the Migraciones online platform where you must submit your application, the fields for uploading the required documents are mandatory. You normally cannot continue with or complete your application unless all required documents are uploaded.

However, even though we cannot and do not recommend it, there may be situations where your tourist stay is about to expire and you must submit your visa application before a certain date. In such cases, and depending on which document is missing, it may be possible to temporarily upload another document in its place to complete the application.

If you choose this option, you should already have a solid plan to obtain the missing document quickly, because the time you will later get to submit it is usually very limited.

How this workaround works

Follow the instructions in our step-by-step-application guide above until you reach Step 4, where you must enter information and upload all required documents as PDF files.

If you are missing a document, you cannot leave the upload field empty. Instead, you must upload something that explains the situation.

For example:

  • Missing criminal record certificate
    Under the Interpol tab, you must upload the Ficha de Canje from Interpol and your criminal record certificate (Antecedentes). Both fields are mandatory.
    If you don’t yet have your criminal record certificate, you could upload:
    • the Ficha de Canje a second time, or
    • a signed letter explaining that you are still waiting for the document from your home country.
  • Missing Ficha de Canje from Interpol
    If you couldn’t get an Interpol appointment in time, you could upload:
    • a letter explaining the situation, and
    • your appointment confirmation with Interpol.
  • Missing Peruvian marriage certificate 
    If you don't have your Peruvian marriage certificate, because Reniec takes its time to register your foreign marriage, you could upload:
    • your foreign marriage certificate
    • a copy of your Reniec tramite and a short explanation.
  • Missing Apostille or translation
    If you already have the document but not yet the Apostille or official translation, you could temporarily upload the document in its current form.

After uploading the placeholder document, continue the process and complete your application as described in the guide above.

After uploading the placeholder document, continue the process and complete your application as described in the guide above.

Confirmation of your application

In Step 6 of the application process, you can download the Registro de Solicitud de Cambio de Calidad Migratoria document. It contains:

  • your Número de expediente (file number)
  • the Fecha de publicación (application date)
  • the Código de verificación

This document confirms that your application was successfully submitted. Once you receive this confirmation, your tourist stay is effectively paused, meaning that even if your tourist stay expires while your visa application is being processed, you won’t have any problems related to overstaying.

What happens next

Because the required document was not submitted correctly or was missing, Migraciones will eventually send you a notification requesting the document.

This notification may arrive:

  • within a few days, or
  • several weeks or even months later, depending on when your application is reviewed.

The notification will be sent to your Buzón electrónico and is considered officially delivered. In most cases, Migraciones gives you only five days to upload the requested document.

You must respond to the notification within the deadline, even if it is on the last day. If you fail to respond, your application may be dismissed.

If you already have the document

If you have obtained the requested document in the correct form, simply upload it through the Agencia Digital.

This process, known as Subsanación, is explained in our article Subsanación - Submitting documents.

During the internal review of any application submitted via the Migraciones Agencia Digital, Migraciones may determine that a required document is ...

If you still don’t have the document

If you are unable to obtain the document within the given deadline, you can apply for an extension of the deadline (up to 30 additional days). This procedure is called Ampliación de plazos.

You can learn more about this process in our article Extension of a Migraciones deadline.

If Migraciones asks you to submit an additional document during the internal evaluation of an immigration-related application, you are usually give...

Should you upload the document before receiving the notification?

If you receive the missing document before hearing from Migraciones, you technically can upload it immediately through the Subsanación option in the Agencia Digital.

However, several applicants reported that they still received a notification later requesting the same document again. For this reason, it is usually better to wait until you receive the official request.

Important

If you decide to use this workaround, check your Buzón electrónico regularly and respond immediately to any notification from Migraciones.

While this method has worked for many applicants in the past, procedures may change, and Migraciones could still reject the application (which could then be appealed). In addition, submitting documents later will almost certainly delay the approval of your visa, sometimes by several weeks or even months.

  

Please note: LimaEasy is not a Peruvian government agency, public authority, or law firm. The information provided is based on our best knowledge and is intended as general guidance to help you understand Peruvian immigration regulations and procedures. Regulations, requirements, and administrative practices may change at any time and without prior notice, so we recommend verifying current details with the relevant authorities before acting on this information.

And last but not least: If you notice any inaccuracies or outdated information on this page, please help us keep this guide up to date by leaving a comment below or contacting us via our contact form. Thank you for your support!

 

 

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  • This commment is unpublished.
    Patrick Kiernan · 01/06/2023
    Hello,

    Thanks for the provide such invaluable information on this site.

    I'm Irish and entered Peru as a tourist on April 1st. 

    My wife (Peruvian) and I got married on April 12th. 
    We're expecting our first child on June 16th.

    I live and work in Dublin. Our plan is to move to Dublin as soon as my wife gets her Irish visa. 

    When I entered on April 1st I was given 90 days which brings me to the end of June. 
    I want to be able to stay until Aug 12th or Sept 2nd.

    Is applying for the family visa (caso de casado/a peruana/o) the correct approach? Thanks



    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 01/06/2023
      @Patrick Kiernan
      Hello Patrick,

      first of all congrats on your marriage and soon being a dad.

      Honestly, if you only want to stay until August or September, applying for a family visa is not worth it. Even if you applied today, you might just get the approval by that time.

      So, the question is, how long does it take for your wife to get the Irish visa? If it takes longer, are you planning to return to Peru?

      Depending on the circumstances, you could leave Peru when your stay as a tourist is about to expire and return a few days later hopefully getting another 90 days (or less), or you could overstay (not recommended if you plan to return in a few months), or you could apply for the family visa just to stay legal in the country (as soon as you apply your time as a tourist stops) until you leave.

      Greetings
      Eva


    • This commment is unpublished.
      Patrick Kiernan · 01/06/2023
      @Sunflower Thanks Eva!

      We expect her to have the Irish visa and be ready to go by early September. We will also need to apply for an Irish passport for our soon-to-be born son - not sure how long that will take but hopefully ready by early September or before.

      There may be delays with the above and if so I do plan to return to Peru for max a month for the rest of 2023.

      Sounds like applying for the family visa is worth it since it will allow me to stay.

      Was just wondering if there is something more suitable for me to apply for to extend my stay. Thanks.

    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 02/06/2023
      @Patrick Kiernan
      Patrick, no there is no way that you can extend your stay as a tourist. You could leave the country and return hoping that you get another 90 days. But that's a gamble.

      And yes, applying for the family visa might be worth it in your case, if you have all required documents and are willing to do the preparation work, even though the visa most probably won't be approved and you won't have your carné before you leave. Just make sure when you apply for the family visa that your stay as a tourist is still valid. And once you applied on the Agencia Digital and got the confirmation of your application, time as a tourist stops. So, you are still legal in Peru.

      However, if you don't have your carné before you return to Ireland, you must apply for the travel permit before you leave. With this permit you can leave without having to pay the overstay fine (as you haven't overstayed as a tourist), but officially only can stay outside Peru for 30 days. If you don't return to Peru within 30 days, your visa application is canceled, which, I assume, isn't a problem for you.

      On the other hand, if your visa application was approved quickly and you got your carné, be aware that you can only leave Peru for 183 days otherwise you lose your residence visa again. If you are already certain that your move to Ireland is permanent and you won't return to Peru to live within the half year, you must cancel your residence visa before you leave.

      Greetings
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Patrick · 02/06/2023
      @Sunflower
      However, if you don't have your carné before you return to Ireland, you must apply for the travel permit before you leave. With this permit you can leave without having to pay the overstay fine (as you haven't overstayed as a tourist), but officially only can stay outside Peru for 30 days. If you don't return to Peru within 30 days, your visa application is canceled, which, I assume, isn't a problem for you.
      Correct - assuming the next time I come to Peru I can enter as a tourist?

      On the other hand, if your visa application was approved quickly and you got your carné, be aware that you can only leave Peru for 183 days otherwise you lose your residence visa again. If you are already certain that your move to Ireland is permanent and you won't return to Peru to live within the half year, you must cancel your residence visa before you leave.
      What happens if I don't cancel my residence visa before leaving and just leave and let it expire?

      Thanks,
      Patrick 
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 02/06/2023
      @Patrick
      1. Yes, next time you come to Peru, you can enter as a tourist. Your application is canceled.

      2. If you don't cancel your residence visa and stay outside Peru for more than 183 days, it should be canceled automatically. But usually it isn't completely. When you return to Peru after over half a year, you can enter as a tourist. However, depending on how long you have been abroad the immigration officer might allow you to enter as a resident and tells you to apply for the extension of your visa immediately or he tells you to cancel your residence visa. Another point is that your residence visa is still in the system even though expired. This might mess up the Agencia Digital. And if you are planning to apply for a new family visa in the future, you must cancel your old residence visa before you can do so.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Maria · 26/05/2023
    Hi Eva do you know whether it’s possible to send my Interpol documents through the post office instead of DHL ? Also, do you know how long it takes for Interpol to process the fingerprints in the US? Will it take longer than 3 months? Would i still be able to start my visa application(through marriage) or would i have to wait for the results from Interpol? Thank you
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 27/05/2023
      @Maria Hello Maria,

      From Interpol Peru you get the Ficha de Canje usually on the day of your appointment. So, I assume you mean the documents for the additional check “required” for US Americans, Canadians and Australians.

      As explained in detail in our article Interpol - Ficha de Canje this additional check has nothing to do with issuing the ficha de canje and is not needed for your visa application at Migraciones (you already have your FBI check with Apostille) and the approval of your visa. Getting the results back from this additional check may take many weeks or even months and the criminal record check you get back supposedly does not meet the Antecedentes requirements from Migraciones and does not have an Apostille on it.

      So, you can send the documents with the normal postal service or don’t send them at all. You won’t need the results as for your family visa application you only need the Ficha de Canje and the FBI check with Apostille that you will bring with you.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Vale · 30/04/2023
    Hi,

    I am hoping to move to Peru in 2 months (beginning of July) to be with my boyfriend, but I want to ensure I am doing it correctly with the visa process. I am a US citizen and will freelance as an architectural designer remotely with US-based clients. I recently was in Peru for the month of March and received only 60 days to visit as a tourist, of which I only used 31 days. 

    I'm not sure what the best route is, and I'm open to all options... except getting married, we'd rather do it when we're ready instead of feeling forced due to legal reasons.

    I am also seeing that there are documents that I need to have arranged/translated before leaving the States, so I'm sure I need to start that process this week if I want to stick with my timeline. 

    I appreciate any advice you can offer. Thank you! 
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 01/05/2023
      @Vale
      Hello Vale,

      as a tourist you can stay a max of 183 days per year. However, when you enter the country you only get up to 90 days in a 180 day period. So, you can stay two times 90 days.

      If you want to move permanently to Peru, your only option to stay legally in the country is to apply for a residence visa. Peru has a few different residence visa including family, work, student, retirement, religious, investment, investigation, humanitarian, special for nationals of Mercosur countries, ... But there is no visa for freelancers or people who have foreign income.

      So, depending on your circumstances you must try to find a way that you are able to fulfill the requirements of one of the available residence visa.

      Family, you must be married or related to a Peruvian. As you don't want to marry, this one is out.

      Student, you must study at a Peruvian university. Not sure if you plan on doing this.

      Religious, you must find your home in a religious entity in Peru. I assume this one doesn't apply to you.

      Humanitarian and Special doesn't apply as well.

      Investigation, you must be a professional in science or technology and work in Peru in this field. So, I assume doesn't apply.

      Investment, you must invest S/ 500,000 in a new or established company in Peru, must have a business plan, must employ a certain number of Peruvians, .... Not sure, if this could be an option for you.

      Retirement, you must present proof of receiving at least US$ 1000 per months from a private or public pension fund (accepted are as well employment related pension plans, lifetime annuities or other benefits) or have a permanent income of at least US$ 1000 for the rest of your life. Please note: Rental income, for example, or income generated from remote work is not considered permanent income. However, there is a loophole. If you can present a certificate from a company guaranteeing you a dividend payment until the day you die of at least US$ 1000, you could qualify for the retirement visa. So, you could, for example, create your own company in your home country and if it's making enough profits pay yourself dividends from this company. If the monthly dividends are at least US$ 1000 per months, you could issue yourself this certificate and apply for the visa. I highly recommend getting legal advice and support from an experienced immigration lawyer to try this route.

      Work, you must either have a work contract or service contract with a Peruvian company. Not sure, if you are looking for a job. But even if not, the work visa could be a real and viable option for you. You could, for example, establish a company in Peru, have the company employ you and issue you a work contract. Quite a number of freelancers I know went this route. Here as well, I highly recommend to talk to a notary and/or immigration lawyer in Peru, so that you first get a general introduction into establishing and running a company in Peru and then into all your rights and (tax) obligations before starting this endeavor.

      As the family visa is out, be aware that no matter which residence visa you try to make fit your circumstances, the preparation work is nothing you can do in a few weeks. And no matter which residence visa you apply for, the most important document you need from home is your FBI criminal record check with Apostille. However, be aware that it can't be older than 6 months when you finally apply for your visa. And depending on the necessary preparation work and the residence visa there might be other documents you need from the US, as well with Apostille.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Maria · 19/04/2023
    Hi Eva i was reading the requirements on the application for the family visa on this website (limaeasy) where it asks for your bank statement and employment status—do i need to ask for any official bank statement/receipt from my bank in the US? Also, if i’m self employed do i need to show proof? 
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 19/04/2023
      @Maria
      Hello Maria,

      I'm confused. Where in the requirement list above in the article Family visa did you find that you need bank statements and employment status???

      No, both are not requirements to apply for the family visa.

      However, when you apply for your family visa you must fill in a questionnaire. So, you have to answer if you have a bank account in Peru; your answer most probably is no. Next question is if you have taken out a loan in Peru; I assume no. Then you are ask if you have a bank account in another country. Here you most probably have to say yes. And they want to know if you hold shares in a company in Peru; I assume your answer is no as well. You just have to answer simple questions. No requirement, no need for proof.

      Regarding your employment status you have to answer if you are working, when you started, what position you have, etc. No requirement, no proof is necessary. And it's up to you how you answer these questions. You are applying for a family visa, so no need to say that you work. If you are not working in Peru and your earnings are not deposited in a Peruvian account you should really think about it how you answer as once you have your residence visa officially you must pay taxes on your worldwide income. So, if you have income in the US, for example, the Peruvian tax authority won't know about it until you tell them. Depending on your circumstances you could just fill in n/a (no aplica) and later, after you settled in Peru and spoke to someone who is much more knowledgeable than I am when it comes to taxes change your employment status or leave it as it is.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Maria · 13/04/2023
    Hi Eva I just got my FBI fingerprint submission back and I'm waiting for the document to be apostilled--but I have a question--the FBI fingerprint letter states that "the result of the search is only effective for the date the submission was originally completed (March 20,2023) " . So does this mean that Migraciones will give me trouble and request a new one? do you know any US citizens who've already submitted this document and had trouble with it?

    Also, do I need any other documents aside from: 1. the FBI fingerprint + Apostille + translation 2. Register US marriage with RENIEC 3. Interpol appointment 4. Make PDF of all these documents??

    I'm still in the US so I'm hoping that whatever other document I need to apply for residency through marriage to a Peruvian I can get done here so that I don't have to wait in Peru for the documents to arrive. Please advise. Thank you again for all your help!!! :-)

     (I'm sorry if you're seeing this the second time but I couldn't find my comment or see if you replied and I don't get any notifications for some reason!)
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 13/04/2023
      @Maria
      Hello again,

      I just published your other comment and replied to it.

      Here my reply:

      That’s great. So you have your FBI criminal record check and now only the Apostille is missing.

      And yes, on every report you find that “the result of the search is only effective for the date the submission was originally completed”. This means that if you applied on March 20, 2023 the FBI can only confirm that you don’t have a criminal record until March 20, 2023. They can’t confirm that you won’t have any encounters with the law in the future. How could they?

      Anyway, nothing to worry about. Migraciones will accept the document if it was issued not more than six months before the application.

      And as described above for the family visa application you only need from the US

      - your passport with a validity of at least six months on the day you enter Peru; if it’s only valid a year or so, I would apply for a new one before leaving the US, so you don’t have to worry that your passport expires during the application / approval process or soon after that which means you would have to apply for a new US passport in Peru and then have your Peruvian ID card, the carné de extranjería, changed, shortly after you got it. So, if necessary get a new US passport and you are good for the next 10 years.

      - the FBI criminal record check with Apostille

      That’s it.

      Once in Peru you additionally need the following

      - Ficha de Canje from Interpol
      - Certified copy of your Peruvian marriage certificate
      - Receipt for paid application fee
      - Up-to-date DNI of your husband

      Just follow the description above. Every step is explained.

      Greetings
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 13/04/2023
      @Maria Sorry, that you don't get our notifications. I just checked and saw that you used a gmail address. For whatever reason gmail either sends our notifications to your spam folder or doesn't deliver them at all. We are working on a solution.
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Martin Odenell · 05/04/2023
    Hi Eva.

    A question.
    After two years of residency, 183 days per year,
    a resident can apply for Peruvian citizenship.

    On what start date does the two year count begin ?
    The arrival date as a tourist?
    Or the date the residency is first approved?
    Or the 'Emision / Date of issue' on the carnet ?
    I assume the latter.

    Thanks.
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 05/04/2023
      @Martin Odenell
      Hello Martin,

      yes, after at least two years of legal residency (!) on a family visa through marriage with a Peruvian you can get the Peruvian nationality by applying for the Nacionalización por matrimonio.

      Your two year count does not start when you first entered as a tourist, but when your residence visa was first approved and you were registered in the Migraciones database RIM as a resident.

      So, if you check your carné on the back you find the Fecha inscripción (the date you were registered) and the Fecha emision (the date your carné was issued); both dates are usually only a few days apart.

      You can find the requirements for the Nacionalización por matrimonio on the Peruvian government website. Be aware that even though there you can read that the processing time of the application only is supposed to be 30 business days, in most cases the whole process takes much, much longer.

      Greetings
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Martin Odenell · 06/04/2023
      @Sunflower Thanks Eva,

      The latest Carnet has only two dates on the front of the card:
      -Date of issue.
      -Date of expiry.
      (I also have an old carnet with multiple dates on the back).

      Approximately how long can a valid 'Nacionalización por matrimonio' process take to complete ?
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 06/04/2023
      @Martin Odenell
      They changed the carné again? And no dates anymore on the back?

      Anyway, as said above the official processing time should be 30 business days. And I don't know how long it takes Migraciones / Ministry of the Interior / Office of the president (who must sign all approvals) at the moment.

      Before Corona foreigners going the nacionalización route waited anything between a year or even two. Last I heard they improved things and foreigners should have the approval within half a year. But just a couple of weeks ago I spoke to a Peruvian whose wife is a foreigner and it took him 5 or 6 visits (nearly 3 months) until Migraciones finally accepted the application and necessary documents. His story reminded me of when I first applied for my family visa many years ago and requirements would change with every Migraciones visit.


      Greetings
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Martin Odenell · 08/04/2023
      @Sunflower
      Correct, only two dates on the front of latest CE card.

      A three months plus wait for Naturalization. Yikes...
      I guess the Permanent resident route could take equally as long.

      Thanks for the information.
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 08/04/2023
      @Martin Odenell
      The 3 months I wrote about above were the time it took that Migraciones accepted all documents and with that the application. The approval takes much longer.

      And surely the change of immigration status from family resident to permanent family resident will be much quicker, but can only be started after 3 years of legal residency.

  • This commment is unpublished.
    Martin Odenell · 01/04/2023
    Hi again Eva.

    My residency is close to done. The process took approximately 70 calendar days from the day I first arrived as a tourist. It's a complicated process to manage on par with the complexity of applying for residency in other countries. Thanks yet again for your informative pages, they helped me a lot to prepare the correct documents before I arrived, in particular the apostilled police check and also what to do when I applied online within Peru.

    Some additional tips:

    ---

    Migracciones video conference.

    If you wish to speak with a friendly Migracciones agent using a
    https://agenciavirtual.migraciones.gob.pe/agencia-virtual/identidad
    video conference 'Incio video conferencia' I suggest calling/connecting around 8:30AM soon after their office opens. Getting connected later in the day can prove difficult.

    ---

    Residency approval.

    When Migracciones first approves your residency they will send you a message in your 'Buzón Electrónico de Migraciones' letting you know that the residency is approved. I believe this message means all your documentation and biometrics are in order and Migraciones does not require any further information from you. The message will also state to wait for instructions on how to pick up the 'Carnet De Extranjeria'.

    I was waiting weeks for these instructions to arrive, so I 'video conferencia' called Migracciones and they kindly explained the following: When the residency documents and biometrics are first approved, Migraciones then has 30 working days to register and process an internal document related to your application. I waited 25 calender days for the second notification to arrive. This is a second approval and contains instructions on how to pick up the 'Carnet De Extranjeria'.

    Good luck.
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 04/04/2023
      @Martin Odenell
      Hello Martin,

      sorry for getting back to you so late.

      And a huge thanks for sharing your experience. Around January Migraciones has changed the process again and it seems that now, after the approval of the visa, the applicant isn't required to do the registration anymore but Migraciones does it. And once they are finished they will send you the second notification.

      Before I got your info I heard of waiting times for this second letter of a few days to a couple of weeks, but never of 25 days. That's long.

      Anyway, congrats you made it through.

      All the best in Peru
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Mark · 22/05/2023
      @Sunflower Hi Eva,

      Do you know what would be the process if I have received my residency approval letter, but while waiting for the carnet letter I have to travel out of the country? Would I come back in just showing the approval letter?

      Many thanks

      - Mark
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 23/05/2023
      @Mark
      Hello Mark,

      if nothing changed over the past few months, your application process is only finished when you got your carné .

      So, to leave the country you must apply for a Autorización de estadía fuera del país por 30 días. It's an easy, quick and straightforward process which is explained in our article Travel permit.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Maria · 24/03/2023
    Hi does anyone know if i can schedule an appointment with Interpol in the US to get my background check from them instead of waiting to do it in Lima and then having to pay DHL ? Also, i’m confused on one part about getting all my documents apostilled—does Migraciones require me to apostille my USA birth certificate as well? 
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 24/03/2023
      @Maria
      Hello Maria,

      Interpol doesn't issue a background check neither in Peru nor in the US. The Ficha de Canje is a document issued by Interpol certifying that a person isn’t an internationally wanted fugitive, so hasn’t an international wanted persons notice (Red Notice). You must apply for it at Interpol in Peru. You find more information on the process in our article Interpol-Ficha de Canje.

      Next to the Ficha de Canje you need a criminal record check. Assuming you are from the US you need an “FBI Criminal Record Check” or a “Identity History Summary” which is issued in the US by the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). You should get this before (!!!) leaving the US and have it apostilled in the US.

      I assume you are a bit confused because, among other nationalities, US citizens are required to do an additional criminal record check for which the international money order is needed. According to the Interpol office in Lima, this check has nothing to do with issuing the ficha necessary for Migraciones and the approval of your visa.

      You should be aware that getting the results back from this additional check may take many weeks or even months and the criminal record check you get does not have an Apostille on it. So, waiting to get this check back and use it for the "Antecedentes" requirement to apply for a residence visa is not recommended and counterproductive as you most probably will run out of time on your stay as a tourist before you get the document and have it sent and returned with Apostille. So, better come prepared to Peru bringing your FBI criminal record check already with you or apply for it on your own when already in Peru.

      Then I wonder on what base are you planning to apply for a family visa? If you aren't the daughter of a Peruvian (then you could get the Peruvian nationality which would make things much easier) or if you aren't the daughter of a foreigner with resident status in Peru, you won't need your birth certificate.

      Anyway, you might want to check out the article above under Requirements for all documents you need for your family visa application (don't miss the explanatory notes). And, as explained above, all required documents issued outside Peru must have an Apostille, then must be translated in Peru into Spanish and the translation must be legalized by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

      Greetings
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Maria · 25/03/2023
      @Sunflower Hi Eva. No i just got married in the US  to a Peruvian citizen and i got it apostilled at the secretary of state and he took it to Reniec and i’m waiting on my fbi background check to be apostilled. Yes this process has been extremely confusing but i was following the requirements list on this website and it said my birth certificate has to be apostilled to submit to Migraciones. Do i not need to get that done? Thank you so much for your help i sincerely appreciate it. Dealing with Migraciones is so exhausting and trying to get a hold of them is even worse! Each agent gives you a different response! 
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 25/03/2023
      @Maria
      Hello Maria,

      not sure which website your are talking about, but above in the article under the requirements it clearly states that you need a document that proves the family tie. So, a marriage certificate if the applicant is married to a Peruvian or foreigner with resident status", which applies to you; a "birth certificate if the applicant is the child or parent of a Peruvian, but not Peruvian himself or of a foreigner with resident status, which doesn't apply to you.

      So, you don't need your birth certificate if you apply for a family visa based on being married to a Peruvian.

      For now, it seems everything is done correctly. You married in the US and had your US marriage certificate apostilled. I assume your husband had it translated in Peru and now applied to have your marriage registered with Reniec. As soon Reniec completed the process your husband gets your Peruvian marriage certificate. He should make sure that he gets a certified copy of the Peruvian marriage certificate. One requirement done.

      Then you already applied for your FBI record check. When you have it, this must be apostilled as well and you are ready to come to Peru. When you are in Peru, the FBI check must be translated as well. Next requirement done.

      Then you must get an appointment at Interpol for the Ficha de Canje. When you go to Interpol in Lima you get the Ficha de Canje on the same day. Next requirement done. You don't need the additional check for your family visa application; so don't let anyone confuse you.

      Now, the only things left to do is make PDFs of all documents and pay the application fee, which can be easily done online as described above. Last requirements done.

      And then you just must apply on the Agencia Digital.

      I know it all seems confusing and strange at first. But read the article slowly and just follow the steps (don't miss the links to other articles, which as this article explains everything in detail).

      If you are getting overwhelmed or don't know what to do,  just send me a message and I try my best to clarify any doubts.

      All the best
      Eva


    • This commment is unpublished.
      Maria · 12/04/2023
      @Sunflower Hi Eva I just got my FBI fingerprint submission back and I'm waiting for the document to be apostilled--but I have a question--the FBI fingerprint letter states that "the result of the search is only effective for the date the submission was originally completed (March 20,2023) " . So does this mean that Migraciones will give me trouble and request a new one? do you know any US citizens who've already submitted this document and had trouble with it? 

      Also, do I need any other documents aside from: 1. the FBI fingerprint + Apostille + translation 2. Register US marriage with RENIEC 3. Interpol appointment  4. Make PDF of all these documents??

       I'm still in the US so I'm hoping that whatever other document I need to apply for residency through marriage to a Peruvian I can get done here so that I don't have to wait in Peru for the documents to arrive. Please advise. Thank you again for all your help!!! :-) 

      P.S. this will be my third time applying for a visa here (the first two times I applied was through a work visa and it didn't work out) so I'm really hoping this time I have all my documents sorted out!  
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 13/04/2023
      @Maria Hello Maria,

      That’s great. So you have your FBI criminal record check and now only the Apostille is missing.

      And yes, on every report you find that “the result of the search is only effective for the date the submission was originally completed”. This means that if you applied on March 20, 2023 the FBI can only confirm that you don’t have a criminal record until March 20, 2023. They can’t confirm that you won’t have any encounters with the law in the future. How could they?

      Anyway, nothing to worry about. Migraciones will accept the document if it was issued not more than six months before the application.

      And as described above for the family visa application you only need from the US

      - your passport with a validity of at least six months on the day you enter Peru; if it’s only valid a year or so, I would apply for a new one before leaving the US, so you don’t have to worry that your passport expires during the application / approval process or soon after that which means you would have to apply for a new US passport in Peru and then have your Peruvian ID card, the carné de extranjería, changed, shortly after you got it. So, if necessary get a new US passport and you are good for the next 10 years.

      - the FBI criminal record check with Apostille

      That’s it.

      Once in Peru you need additionally need the following

      - Ficha de Canje from Interpol
      - Certified copy of your Peruvian marriage certificate
      - Receipt for paid application fee
      - Up-to-date DNI of your husband

      Just follow the description above. Every step is explained.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Martin Odenell · 16/03/2023
    Hi again Eva.

    Australian citizens.

    Interpol clearance - Ficha de canje internacional
    additional finger print check by Australian Federal Police.

    (Not to be confused with the
    Antecedentes policiales, penales y judiciales
    Police clearance certificate
    issued by the Australian Federal Police.)

    When conducting the 'Ficha de canje internacional' interview
    Interpol Peru will finger print Australians twice.
    Once for Peru and once for the Australian Federal Police.
    Interpol will ask Australians to fill out the second finger print form in English.

    Interpol will instruct you to send this form with the AUD$99.00
    international money order to the Australian Federal Police.

    As Eva from Lima Easy kindly points out, this specific step
    is unrelated and not necessary for your residence application.
    Peru migracciones only requires the Peruvian 'Ficha de canje internacional'.

    If you do as Interpol requests and send the additional finger print form and
    AUD$99.00 money order to the Australian Federal Police
    you will receive an email from the Australian Federal Police stating ;

    > To be able to process your application we require you to complete the
    > attached application form and email back to us along with additional
    > identification to make a minimum of 100 points.
    > We also require credit card details as the fee is $99.00 Australian dollars
    > and we cannot accept the cheque you have supplied.
    > We also require an official English translation of the fingerprints you have supplied
    > (attached) as all the labels must be in English.
    (Some of the labels are in Spanish and some labels are in misspelt English.)
    > You can email these documents back to us together so we can process your application.
    > -AFP

    So in conclusion, this specific step is not necessary for the
    Peru residence application and the data provided by
    Interpol Peru and the Peruvian bank check in it's raw state,
    is not satisfactory for the Australian Federal Police.
    So I guess use your own discretion if you bother proceeding with this step.
    One assumes Peru Interpol and Australian Federal Police need to coordinate
    on their requirements if this step is it be successful.

    Good luck.
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 16/03/2023
      @Martin Odenell
      Hello Martin,

      that's great information! Thank you so much for sharing.

      Assuming your approval, I will add this to our Ficha de Canje - Interpol article. I think many will benefit from this info.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Stefan Herzberg · 09/03/2023
    Thank you very much for all the informations.
    I have a general question:
    I entered January 22 and will apply for a family visa. Paperwork in Germany (police records) will take some time. Approaching the April 21 deadline the question is, whether an applicant is considered illegal if the application is filed before the 90 days visa ends and he overstays while waiting for the approval by Migraciones.
    Would it be advisable to leave, reenter and apply only then?
    Thank you for your response 
    Kindly
    Stefan Herzberg 
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 09/03/2023
      @Stefan Herzberg Hallo Stefan,

      Yes, as German you need the “Führungszeugnis zur Verwendung im Ausland“ to fulfill the Peruvian Antecedentes requirement. On the website of the Bundesamt für Justiz you find how it’s done when already being outside Germany. If you have an elektronischen Personalausweis with PIN you can easily apply online. If not, you must either send the application form to the Bundesamt or have someone hand in the original application form in person. When I remember correctly, the signature on the application form must be legalized by the German consulate otherwise the Bundesamt might not accept your application. And when you apply you can ask that the Führungszeugnis is directly forwarded to the authority doing the Apostille. Depending on your situation this might be worth doing.

      Anyway, on the day you apply for the family visa in Peru your stay as a tourist must be valid. So, as you need every additional day you can get, best apply for your family visa on the last day when your stay as a tourist is still valid (or if you want to make sure nothing goes wrong on the second last day or so giving you a day or two to sort out any unforeseen situation); in your case that would be April 21 or April 20 / 19.

      Once you completed (!) the application and got the file number, publication date and verification code your time as a tourist in Peru stops. Even if your stay as a tourist expires during the processing time of your family visa application you are not illegally in Peru. You are then in the process of changing your immigration status.

      I’m not sure how quick the Germans are at the moment to issue the Führungszeugnis and put the Apostille on it (and once the document is in Peru you as well will need - depending on the translator - a week or two for the official translation in Peru and the overauthentication by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), so time could be a problem.

      Personally, if you have all other required documents and a solid plan on how to get your Führungszeugnis, I wouldn’t risk leaving Peru and reentering as you could be denied re-entry or could only get a few days. And even if you don’t have the Führungszeugnis when your time as a tourist comes to an end, there is a way to still apply for your family visa, however, there is a little hurdle to overcome.

      On the 2nd page of the family visa application you must fill in some data and/or upload all for the family visa application necessary documents as PDF. There, under the Interpol tab, you must upload the Ficha de Canje from Interpol and the “Antecedentes” (Führungszeugnis). Both fields are mandatory, and you cannot continue with the application without having uploaded both documents. But, even though most probably not intended by Migraciones / the creator of the website, there is a way around it and you can “cheat” the system.

      As you can’t leave the field for the Antecedentes blank anymore, you must upload something in the Antecedentes field. One of our readers just uploaded the Ficha de Canje a second time, another reader wrote a letter explaining that he is waiting for his criminal record check from his home country and uploaded this letter instead of his background check, and another reader uploaded her check without the Apostille and translation. So, upload a “document” there that makes sense. Then continue to upload all other required documents and finish the application process as described above.

      On the next page you get the Form PA - Cambio de Calidad Migratoria with the “numero de expediente” (your file number), the "fecha de publicacion" (application date) and a "codigo de verificacion" (verification code) and your access to your Buzon. As soon you get this your time as a tourist stops and even if your stay as a tourist expires during the processing time of your visa application you won't have any problem.

      Now, depending how quickly Migraciones reviews your application and documents two things may happen:

      As you haven’t uploaded all required documents, Migraciones will send you a notification (can be as quick as a few days after your application or a month, two or three later) using the Buzon electronico requesting to upload, in your case, the Führungszeugnis. Be aware that these notifications are considered officially delivered. Usually, Migraciones only gives you a short deadline of 5 to 10 days to upload the requested document. You must react to the notification, even if it’s on the last day of the deadline they gave you (which might be wise to do if you still need more time), otherwise your application could be canceled.

      If by then you have your Führungszeugnis with Apostille, certified translation in Peru and overauthenticated by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs just upload it as described in the notification.

      If you still don’t have your check at the end of the deadline Migraciones gave you, then you can apply for an extension of the deadline (max. 30 days). You just have to fill in the form Solicitud de ampliacion de plazo and upload it on the Agencia Digital under Subsanacion which you find in the left menu latest by the date your deadline ends. You as well can upload it on the Mesa de Partes (on the main page of the Agencia on the top right) under Solicitudes en General. Usually, Migraciones doesn’t react to it, but if you upload your Führungszeugnis within 30 days all is good.

      In case you have your Führungszeugnis ready before you hear from Migraciones you can upload it immediately. I think you can do it as well on the Agencia Digital under Subsanacion in the menu on the left.

      That’s it. The most important thing is to apply before your stays as a tourist expires and to check your Buzon regularly and, if necessary, react to any notification.

      Falls du noch weitere Fragen haben solltest, meld dich einfach.

      Greetings
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Stefan Herzberg · 10/03/2023
      @Stefan Herzberg Thank you so much Eva, very helpful. Just for your information:
      Since January 1st. the Bundesamt für Auswärtige Angelegenheiten is in charge of issuing the Apostille and there is a backlog in processing of around 6-12 weeks. I will have  the Führungszeugnis been sent to the German Embassy in Lima, but this depends on their good will. Normally the Führungszeugnis can only be sent to a German Adress.
      Greetings
      Stefan 
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 10/03/2023
      @Stefan Herzberg
      Hello Stefan,

      the whole Führungszeugnis-Apostille process in Germany seems to get more complicated and more inconvenient and takes longer and longer every time someone tells me about it. Unbelievable.

      You don't have a German address anymore? Or anyone who might be willing to accept the document for you and send it to you in Peru (which will be expensive)?

      If you need any help, let me know.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Martin Odenell · 04/03/2023

    Hola Eva,
    Your page has been a great resource.

    Migrations.
    Registro datos biometricos.
    Lima. Jr Carabaya 494 - 498.
    Suggestions:

    -Your appointment time will not be respected.
    At the door your printed appointment form will be checked.
    You will be given a ticket receipt printed with 'DB###', for example 'DB321'
    You will join a long multiple hour queue and wait for your number to appear on a video screen.
    I arrived at 8:50AM, my appointment was at 9:10AM,
    but I got to the head of the queue and was seen at 11:10AM...
    For this reason I'd suggest to arrive at your appointment at 8:00AM and just join the queue.
    The queue is 'first come, first served', not appointment time based.

    -WEAR BLACK, DO NOT WHITE CLOTHES!
    If you are wearing white clothes the migrations agent will kindly refuse to take your photograph.
    I was wearing a plain white t-shirt. The agent allowed me to leave the building
    and there was an street vendor outside the office door renting black t-shirts for S/10.
    Keep it simple and just wear all black.

    -The office is crowded.

    -Bring your own toilet paper, which applies to most public toilets in Peru.

    Aside from those issues the actual biometrics capture process is
    fast and the migrations staff are friendly.
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 05/03/2023
      @Martin Odenell
      Hello Martin,

      Great to hear that LimaEasy was helpful.

      And thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us. I highly appreciate it.

      Over the past months I was always told that the biometrical appointment was extremely organized and everything is done in half an hour or so. Seems with the recent system breakdown they had things turn for the worse.

      And super great info to wear a dark shirt. Last week I read that Migraciones ask Peruvians who get a new passport to only wear something dark, I didn't know that this applies to foreigners as well.

      Anyway, again thank you so much for this super useful info. I will update the article accordingly.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Mark · 03/03/2023
    Hi there, thankyou again for all the useful information. We are now very close to being able to apply for family visa via marriage (married abroad - Australia - to a Peruvian). We have all the required documents including the Canje internacional along with the $99 check for the Australian federal police sent off. I was just reading over the list you have above for documents needed before applying and wanted to confirm. For the family visa via marriage, do we need to include also an antecedentes penales from Australia (Australian National Police Check)? The list has the asterisks (*) (***) for the other classes of visa, but not for marriage. Thank-you so much again for your help. We've only come this far because of the guidance from your website.
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 03/03/2023
      @Mark Hello Mark,

      Glad to hear that our article helped you through all the overwhelming Peruvian bureaucracy.

      Not sure why, but it seems that regarding the Antecedentes policiales, penales y judiciales, which is a general requirement, it isn’t clear enough. Every foreigner who wants to apply for any residence visa in Peru must present this document.

      So, I’m not sure what you mean by “The list has the asterisks (*) and (***) for the other classes of visa, but not for marriage.” The asterisks aren’t specific for any visa type, but for the document.

      In our listing of required documents to apply for a Family visa the Antecedentes have (*) and (***).

      Under the Explanatory notes for (*) you find a link to our detailed article explaining what the Antecedentes are and what document is accepted by Migraciones depending on your nationality. Australians need a “National Police Clearance Certificate (NPC) for criminal records that cover all Australian states and territories” which is issued in Australia by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

      Next to the (***) “birth certificate and any other document necessary” we explain that all foreign documents need an Apostille (or must be legalized), then translated in Peru and overauthenticated by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

      Overall, yes you will need your Australian Police Clearance Certificate with Apostille for your visa application. I don’t know how you can get it when already being in Peru, but it might take a while.

      Be aware that on the day you apply for your family visa on the Agencia Digital your stay as a tourist must be still valid. So, in case your stay as a visa is about to expire before you have a chance to get your check, send me a message and I explain how you can overcome the mandatory “antecedentes” field and continue with your application without uploading the document.

      Greetings
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Mark · 04/03/2023
      @Sunflower Ahh, many thanks.  I misunderstood, but it is clear now. I've applied for the NPC online, it usually takes 48 hours to process, then they send via email an official document. I can get it Apostilled at the Australian embassy in Miraflores, they're very quick and often have appointments available next day. Last time we used them they also reccomended an official translator who was quite quick, he had a 2 day turnaround. So hopefully we should be ok! I also still have 45 days left on my visa. 
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 04/03/2023
      @Mark
      That's great news that Australia seems to be so efficient and you can apply online, get the document within days and then the Apostille at the Australian consulate. In many other countries it takes weeks to get the criminal record check, then another few weeks to get the Apostille in this country as the consulates abroad don't issue them.

      So, all the best.

      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Khali · 20/02/2023
    Hello, so my situation is really complicated and I definitely already messed up. I have been here in Lima since August 2022. I left one day in September (16) and came back to pick up a work laptop. I guess I didn’t explain correctly my situation and they gave me 40 days (stamped in my passport) as a U.S. citizen. So I have obviously overstayed by a good amount. 

    The fact is that I am here because my fiancé got pregnant while we are still waiting for our K1 fiancé US visa. So I thought I would come here (she was in hospital at 4 months (August 2022) and I dropped everything to come stay here with her through the pregnancy). Stupidly, I thought I would just pay the overstay fees (once I even understood I would be overstaying my passport stamped allowance of days) when we leave as a family since my daughter was born in January and I hoped my fiancés visa would be ready to go somewhat soon. Now I realize I should have done my research about the family visa and I should have gotten the full 90 days allowed and applied for this family visa with my daughter now here.

    My question is what do I do now? I want to apply for the visa now but it seems very apparent through the other questions/responses and articles that I can not because I overstayed. A suggestion might be to just wait and pay the overstay when I am leaving with my family, but her visa may not even be approved and then I would not be able to see my daughter and would have to leave the country (possibly be banned?). As I stated, I didn’t think this through and of course I feel like I am hopeless but please any opinions or help would be so appreciated. 

    Can a lawyer help me? 

    Do I have any case for overstaying with the hospitalization of my fiancé and birth of my daughter? 

    Can I somehow pay the overstay and find a solution to obtain the visa? (I read the article and know that this is extremely unlikely but possible through Migraciones?)

    I am here working remotely for a U.S. company and worrying everyday that I will have to leave the country and possibly miss out on each and everyday my baby girl is growing up. Thank you all for reading and any advise!
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 20/02/2023
      @Khali Hello Khali,

      First of all, congrats on your baby daughter! I hope your fiancé and the little one are well.

      Now, unfortunately, to the more unpleasant things. If you got 40 days on September 16, you should have left the country on October 26, 2022. So, to this day you overstayed by 117 days and there is nothing you can do about it. And no, sorry, the health issues of your fiancé or the birth of your daughter don’t give you a case.

      You could leave and just pay the overstay fine (for each overstayed day in 2022 it’s S/ 4.60, for each overstayed day in 2023 it’s S/ 4.95). But as you already stayed more or less the 183 days you are allowed as a tourist per year, you most probably won’t be allowed to re-enter for at least half a year (that’s if the immigration officer you have to deal with when you leave has a heart and won’t give you a re-entry ban due to your excessive overstay). So, that’s not an option.

      Additionally, you can’t apply for a family visa based on being married to a Peruvian as right now you aren’t. Using the option to apply for a family visa based on your Peruvian daughter is difficult, since August 2021 nearly impossible as Migraciones often denies such applications if the applicant isn’t a Latin American passport holder, which you aren't. An immigration lawyer would/could/might perhaps be able to help, but only if you are in Peru on a valid stay as a tourist, which you aren’t. So, that’s not an option either.

      And you can’t apply for any other temporary or residence visa while being in Peru on an expired stay as a tourist. You must be legally in Peru to apply for any temporary or residence visa, which you aren’t and which you can’t change.

      However, there might be one option for you to make your stay legal. And that’s the so-called CPP, the Carné de permiso temporal de permanencia.

      The CPP is an official document issued by Migraciones with which foreigners with an irregular immigration status in Peru (for example, an expired stay as a tourist) can regularize their stay and get a temporary permit to stay in Peru for 2 years. With a CPP you are even allowed to work in Peru and have access to the Peruvian public health system. That could solve all your problems.

      However, be aware that the CPP can’t be extended and latest after the two years of its validity you either have to leave the country or apply for a “normal” residence visa, for example a family visa. And if you live in Peru on a CPP you can only leave Peru (be it for holidays or work or whatever) with a special permit (permiso especial de viaje) which is valid for only 30 days and you are not allowed to be outside the country for more than 90 days per year, so 3 times 30 days.

      The CPP was first introduced in October 2020 for only half a year but was extended over and over again. I think right now the option to apply for a CPP ends in April 2023, but I can’t guarantee that I remember correctly.

      Requirements for a CPP:

      - Form

      - Payment of the application fee (Migraciones procedure 07569 (Solicitud de   proced. regularize. migratoria), concepto: Regularización migratoria para personas mayores de edad, S/ 47.30)

      - Copy of your passport

      - Sworn statement

      - “Recibo”, so a water or electricity bill indicating your address in Peru (doesn’t have to be in your name)

      - Either complete payment of your overstay fine or official agreement with Migraciones to pay in installments

      You can use an immigration lawyer to apply for your CPP, which might be wise but expensive; and not all so-called immigration lawyers are up to the task and trustworthy; so, make sure he/she knows what he/she is doing and you aren’t ripped off. Or you can as well apply on your own (best first confirm the requirements with Migraciones). The application is done on the Agencia Digital.

      I hope this helps and everything works out for your three.

      Greetings
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Khali · 24/11/2023
      @Sunflower Hi, I wanted to come back and say that everything worked out. I did leave (in July 2023) and had to pay an overstay fee. I then came back in August and was given 90 days to file for my visa or I would risk not being able to re-enter because of my previous overstay. I followed all the instructions here and apply for my family visa through my daughter today. 

      The only thing is I was not able to get a biometric data appointment as all the spots were full (Lima). Do I just need to wait and keep checking the site for an available date?

      I have my Interpol appointment on Thursday, so for now I just uploaded the confirmation sheet when applying for the visa (I only had 3 days left as a tourist).

      I hope everything works out as I would not like anymore problems with overstaying and complications with the visa.
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 24/11/2023
      @Khali
      Hello Khali,

      that's great news. You were so lucky that you could re-enter.

      And choosing to apply for a family visa was a wise choice. Great. And you did everything correctly when applying. Perfect. Just check you Buzon regularly and upload your Ficha de Canje from Interpol.

      Yes, at the moment getting an appointment for the biometric data seems to be a mission. All appointments booked in Lima. Unfortunately, the only thing you can do is check daily if Migraciones released new appointments in Lima and then book one as soon as possible. This little hurdle won't affect the evaluation and approval of your family visa. The biometric data is necessary to issue your carné once your visa is approved.

      And don't worry, as you applied for a change of your immigration status (from tourist to family) when your stay as a tourist was still valid all is good. Even though your time as a tourist is expired or will expire in a few days you won't have to pay any overstay fine or fear any other consequences as long as the evaluation and approval process of your application for the family visa is in process. Just check your Buzon regularly and react to any notification Migraciones might send you.

      All the best
      Eva
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Khali · 08/04/2024
      @Sunflower Thanks so much. Everything went great and my visa was approved a few weeks ago. Just one last problem. I go each day to check on new appointments for "recoge tus documentos" and there is no availability. I am in Lima, and I even went to check April 1st for new slots and there were none. Is there anything to do to get my document faster? I have to travel in May and would it be a problem doing so before I receive the physical carnet? Thanks!
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 08/04/2024
      @Khali
      Hello Khali,

      as with every appointment, getting an appointment to pick up your carné is a nightmare at the moment.

      As Migraciones didn't publish when new appointments will be released, the only thing you can do is try again, and again, and later, .... You should, however, clear your cache regularly.

      And check your Buzon electronico every day. I heard from others, who had the same problem, that Migraciones sent them a notification with a fixed appointment.

      All the best
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Martin Odenell · 17/02/2023

    >Official document that proves the family tie: i.e. marriage certificate if the applicant is married to a Peruvian

    Hello Eva.
    Thanks again for your informative pages.
    BTW, one piece of information missing from your family visa page is:

    Marriage certificates from a Peruvian marriage registered in a provincial municipalidad,
    for example, say, Ayacucho, are not necessarily registered with RENIEC in Lima.

    The applicant must request a copy of the marriage certificate from the provincial municipalidad. Upon applying they must inform the provincial municipalidad that the copy is required for a residency application, if not the wrong authority may certify the document and it will be rejected by RENIEC in Lima on the next step. My first attempt was rejected and I needed to get another copy signed by a higher authority in the provincial municipalidad.

    Make a photocopy of the document you receive from the provincial municipalidad.

    Pay at the 'Banco de la Nacion'
    for a 'Solicitud de Authenticacion de Firmas'.
    Pago S/ 31.00 Codigo 02143

    The copy, the photocopy and the paid comprobante then need to be taken to
    RENIEC Jesus Maria: Jr. Talara 130
    or
    RENIEC Miraflores: Av. Diez Canseco 230
    Other RENIEC offices do not process the 'Solicitud de Authenticacion de Firmas',
    for example, I was rejected from the San Borja office.

    Join the 'certification' queue outside the office door.
    RENIEC will give you a form to fill in.
    Take everything inside RENIEC and apply for your 'Solicitud de Authenticacion de Firmas',
    which takes one week to process.

    Good luck.

    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 17/02/2023
      @Martin Odenell
      Hello Martin,

      yes, you are right. Some municipalities are still not linked with Reniec and if you were born in such as municipality or married there you can't get a copy of the certificate directly at Reniec but must take other steps as described by you.

      Thanks for pointing out that this special case isn't described above in our article. I should have thought of that as my husband was born in such a municipality that until a few years ago was such case.

      Anyway, I will add your excellent description of the process to our explanatory notes.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Mark · 10/01/2023
    Hello, thankyou for all the useful information. I was wondering if you knew of any minimum amount of time needed to be married to be able to apply for the visa familiar casado (con Peruana). We were married in December in Australia (in 2022), and were hoping to apply for the family visa asap. We just talked to someone from immigraciones who told us we had to be married for at least 2 years before applying. This is different to everyone else we had talked to previously who suggested there was no minimum amount of time. Any help greatly appreciated. None of those requirements appear anywhere in the online system as far as I can see.
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 10/01/2023
      @Mark Hello Mark,

      There is no minimum time you have to be married to a Peruvian before you can apply for a family visa in Peru.

      So, I wonder who “immigraciones” is. Migraciones in Peru? A Peruvian consulate? Someone else in Australia?

      Anyway, assuming you are Australian, you can come to Peru as a tourist without having to apply for a tourist visa and usually get 90 days. Once in Peru, you then can apply for the family visa at Migraciones. The three months you have as tourist seem to be a long time, but there’s lots to do to get you to the point where you can apply, so you should come prepared.

      The most important document you need (next to your criminal record check with Apostille) is your (Peruvian) marriage certificate.

      If you haven’t done it already, you either can register your marriage at a Peruvian consulate and there get the Peruvian marriage certificate (make sure it’s legalized by the Peruvian consulate) or you get a copy of your Australian marriage certificate, get it apostilled in Australia and after your Peruvian wife returned to Peru, it must be translated and overlegalized by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Then your wife can register your marriage at RENIEC with no problem within 30 days after she entered the country. Once this is done, she can easily get a current Peruvian marriage certificate needed for the family visa application.

      Then you just have to follow above explained steps.

      If you have any more questions, feel free to contact me again.

      Greetings
      Eva




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